Excavation

Whether you're preparing a site for building, digging a pool, installing drainage or levelling land, professional excavators have the equipment and expertise to get it done right. Post your job on The Quote Yard and connect with local excavation contractors.

Site preparation Pool excavation Trenching & drainage Soil removal

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Excavation Services

Site clearing and preparation for building

Pool and spa excavation

Trenching for drainage, cables and pipes

Driveway and slab preparation

Land levelling and cut and fill

Soil and rock removal with tipper trucks

Typical Excavation Costs

Mini excavator (per hour)

$80–$150/hr

5-tonne excavator (per hour)

$120–$200/hr

Bobcat / skid steer (per hour)

$90–$150/hr

Pool excavation (concrete pool)

$3,000–$8,000

Soil removal (per cubic metre)

$50–$100/m³

Costs vary based on machine size, access, soil type and disposal requirements. Minimum charges often apply.

Excavation FAQs

What size excavator do I need?

Mini excavators (1-2 tonne) suit tight access and small jobs like trenching. Mid-size machines (3-8 tonne) handle most residential work including pools and site prep. Larger excavators are used for major earthworks. Your contractor will recommend the right equipment for access and job requirements.

Do I need to call Dial Before You Dig?

Yes. Before any excavation, you must contact Dial Before You Dig (1100) to identify underground services like gas, water, electricity and telecommunications. This is a legal requirement and protects you from costly damage and safety hazards. Your excavator may handle this for you.

What happens to the excavated soil?

Clean fill can often be reused on site for landscaping or levelling. Excess soil is removed by tipper truck and disposed of at licensed facilities. Contaminated soil requires special handling. Disposal costs are usually included in the quote but confirm what's covered.

Can an excavator access my backyard?

Mini excavators can fit through standard side gates (as narrow as 800mm). If access is limited, some machines can be craned in, or smaller equipment may be used. Provide photos and measurements when getting quotes so contractors can plan access.

Concreting Demolition Landscaping Retaining Walls

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The Quote Yard is a platform to connect customers with tradies and service providers. We do not perform any trade work ourselves, we simply connect you with independent local tradies and service providers who provide their own quotes directly.

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